Top Stars Couple Chemistry in Advertisements2017/06/26, Source,
Sometimes the couple chemistry we see in the advertisements can be even more impactful in our mind than the ones we see in a drama or a movie. Perhaps it's because of the short moment we see them together, it lingers in our head, wanting to see more of them, but some of the advertisement couples have been famous for their chemistry,...More

You can do it Kim Woo-bin and Moon So-ri, "The Juror"2017/06/06, Source, Kim Woo-bin has been diagnosed with nasopharyngeal carcinoma. His management reported this news. To get proper treatments, he had to put a stop to all work such as director Choi Dong-hoon's "Wiretap" and more. He also announced his illness so that no speculations and unnecessary misunderstandings were created. "Wiretap" will be put on hold until as long as it takes for Kim Woo-bin to get his treatment. If the circumstances require it, the role may be changed or the production itself may be stopped altogether. Kim Woo-bin's health comes first at any chance,...More

[Guest Film Review] "Taegukgi"2016/06/04,
The fourth-in-a-row blockbuster regarding the relations between North and South Korea (after "Shiri", "JSA - Joint Security Area" and "Silmido"), broke the records of both budget, with $12,8 millions, and admissions, with 11.74 million spectators in the country's cinemas, while its earnings bordered on $70 million. Furthermore, it was a success in Japan earning $9,7 million, and it was also released in the United Stated, earning $1,1 million. Testament to the scale of the production are the years of research spent to ensure historic validity, the huge sets, and the number of supernumeraries used, who exceeded 25,000, in order to achieve absolute realism in the war scenes,...More

Won Bin's Quiet Countryside Wedding Strikes Chord2015/06/02, Source,
The small private wedding of top actors Won Bin and Lee Na-young in the groom's remote hometown of Jeongseon, Gangwon Province has been hailed as an example for others. The simplicity of the outdoor ceremony appealed not only to those who think weddings are getting far too ostentatious but also to defenders of traditional values,...More

Won Bin, Lee Na-young Tie Knot in Wheat Fields2015/06/01, Source,
Acting star Won Bin and fellow actress Lee Na-young got married in the open air on Saturday in the green wheat fields of Jeongseon, Gangwon Province, the groom's hometown. The two are protective of their private lives and their wedding was kept secret until the very last minute. It was a small wedding with family and relatives only,...More

Won Bin and Lee Na-young's 'small wedding' 2015/05/31, Source, Won Bin and Lee Na-young got married. They are a top star couple also known as the Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie of Korea. The two of them got married in a quiet village and had a small wedding without the fuss of having a huge top star wedding. Why though?
There are a few things that can be mentioned when it comes to top star weddings. Media and the spotlight, a luxury hotel wedding hall with celebrity guests who look like they're going to an award show and more fanciness and fuss than a regular wedding are some. The wedding alone is confusion enough but it's true that celebrities have more pressure on their shoulders when their wedding becomes the hottest topic not only in the showbiz but publicly as well,...More

Won Bin and Lee Na-young tied the knot in secret2015/05/30, Source,
On May 30, actor Won Bin, 38, and actress Lee Na-young, 36, were married through a private wedding ceremony in Jeongseon, Kangwon-do, where only family members attended.
Won Bin and Lee Na-young's agency, Eden Nine said, "Today (May 30), the two loving lifetime partners made their very first step together on a small unnamed trail midst a wheat field in Kangwon-do" and "After the wedding ceremony, they set an iron cast pot in the middle of the field and shared warm noodles with their family members",...More

Won Bin may come back soon as discussion for his next work has begun2015/01/25, Source,
Whether or not actor Won Bin may come back this year from the five year break has been drawing attention. It is because he started discussing with a few film producers since the end of last year.
According to a source from movie industry on January 25th, Won Bin resumed in-depth discussions about offers received from several movies. The offers include a period drama as well as an action blockbuster such as spy films,...More

When are Bae Yong-joon, Won Bin and Lee Young-ae coming back?2014/07/15, Source,
When can we see them?
Several writers and directors have been sending their calls of love but the actors remain silent. Top stars who are highly wanted have been gone for far too long. Lee Young-ae is one of them. They have been gone for a maximum of 9 years, enough for a mountain to change its form. They are on the top of the list but they are hard to see and now it's becoming frustrating,...More

[HanCinema's Box Office Review] 2014.06.06 ~ 2014.06.082014/06/09, "Edge of Tomorrow" dislodges Marvel's mutants and cruises into first…
Tom Cruise's latest, "Edge of Tomorrow", opened its Korean account over the weekend and was welcomed by some 1.2 million cinephiles. Based off of the military science fiction novel "All You Need Is Kill" by Hiroshi Sakurazaka, the film sees Cruise star alongside Emily Blunt in an action-packed outing that has already amassed $140M worldwide. Cruise has long been a popular personality in Korea and helped the film dislodge Marvel's mutants by capturing 42.2% of the sales in week one,...More

Legendary S. Korean Director of "The Man from Nowhere" Returns with the Highly Anticipated Film "No Tears for the Dead"2014/06/04, Source,
South Korea's highly anticipated film "No Tears for the Dead" (directed by Lee Jeong-beom) is set to be released in North American theaters June 20th!
PROLOGUE Veteran hitman Gon (Jang Dong-gun) receives a mission, which is to target Mogyeong (Kim Min-hee). The trouble is, he falls in love with her.
SYNOPSIS Abandoned by his mother shortly after immigrating to America, Gon is raised by the mafia and grows up to become a cold-blooded hitman. Though usually flawless in taking out his targets, Gon makes a terrible mistake of killing an innocent young girl. A flood of guilt takes over his life and the situation becomes worse when his boss assigns him the job of killing the young girl's mother. Gon's new target, Mogyeong, is a risk manager at an investment firm and has buried herself in work to bury her grief. She is completely unaware of her role at the heart of a dangerous conspiracy. Finally, she meets the man who wants to tell her the truth behind the death of her child,...More

[HanCinema's Image Gallery] "The Man From Nowhere"2014/05/31, A selection of shots from Lee Jeong-beom's "The Man From Nowhere""No Tears for the Dead" is coming soon to Korean theatres, a film that looks to be running in a very similar vein to Lee's previous blockbuster: "The Man From Nowhere". Lee's 2010 hit become the highest grossing Korean film of its year, attracting over 6 million filmgoers and enjoyed an undisturbed five week run as the country's number one. The film's success was unashamedly boosted by the presence of one of Korea's most popular stars Won Bin, but it also acted as a catalyst for the career of his talented co-star, the young actresses Kim Sae-ron, and publically proclaimed Lee's own storytelling skills and made his name one to remember...Enjoy! [spoilers],...More

Won Bin's photo shoot2014/02/13, Source,
Behind the scene cuts of Won Bin modeling for the outdoor brand Center Pole has been revealed.
Won Bin is dressed in a heavenly spring colored jacket and functional shirt with matching pants and hiking equipment. He's a contract model for Center Pole with Stephanie Lee,...More

[HanCinema's Lists] The Top 5 Korean Thrillers of All-Time2014/01/17,
One of the most popular trends we saw in 2013 was the rampant release of action-packed thrillers! It's a genre that Korean cinema favours and continues to return to, but in 2013 the industry really did pump out a number of successful hits that contributed to the record-breaking tickets sales last year enjoyed.
It's tricky to pinpoint films that are 'pure' thrillers because Korean films often blend and bend their genres in unique and creative ways. That being said, here is a quick look at the top 5 Korean thrillers that have stormed their way to box office glory,...More

[HanCinema's Hall of Fame] Bong Joon-ho's "Mother - 2009"2013/10/26, In the Spotlight this Week:"Mother - 2009" by Bong Joon-ho
The mother-image invokes particularly powerful emotions within us all; they are the protecting and nurturing figures that we imagine to be compassionately eternal and lovingly steadfast. In "Mother - 2009" that ideal is given a cruel existence, a scratched filmind born from the collision of untouchable family values and modern Korea's fumbling with justice and reliability. How would a widowed mother react if her only son (of 28 years) were accused of cold-blooded murder? An interesting enough thought experiment, but all-star director Bong Joon-ho challenges us further by thinking the son as mentally handicapped, another cruel test of faith for his mother-image. 'Unconditional love' seems an appropriate tool from which to start from here, it's the romantic weapon that tells us all that a mother's love is always forthcoming - like the rise and fall of the sun. "Mother - 2009" is the tragic story of that unconditional love gone awry, lost somewhere in the vast and unforgiving social space that Bong places between mother and son, between their love and shared madness,...More

[HanCinema's Film News] New Korean Films Inbound...2013/09/28, K-Films Coming Soon:
★★★★ "Tough as Iron": Kang-cheol, a once great street fighter, gets pulled into Busan's organised crime while trying to support his deteriorating mother. (10/02)
★★★★ "Hope": A father struggles to support his family in the aftermath of his daughter's assault. (10/02)
★★ "Vacation": Three glamorous and privileged young women go on a seductive vacation with three men they've targeted. (10/01),...More

Lancome Picks Lee Na-young as its face in Korea2013/08/08, Source,
Actress Lee Na-young, who recently admitted she has been dating actor Won Bin, is the new model for Lancôme, a leading cosmetics brand from the L'Oréal Group. "We thought that Lee's elegant and sophisticated look matches the modern and feminine image of our brand", the company said. "We also believe that Lee, who has maintained her stunning beauty throughout her 15-year career, is perfect to promote our newest cosmetic lines",...More

Film Audiences Favor Grown-Up Experience2013/04/30, Source, Ha Jung-woo and Kim Hye-soo have been voted the most popular actor and actress in Korea in a poll by the Chosun Ilbo and the country's biggest ticketing site Maxmovie. But Hwang Jung-min and Jeon Do-yeon were named as the best actor and actress. ◆ Mature Actors, Mature Audiences Remarkably, most of the top 10 most popular actors and actresses are in their 30s to 50s, the only exception being Han Hyo-joo, who is in her 20s. The average age for male and female actors is 42.7 and 34.1. Of the actors, only four are in their 30s, including Ha, Gang Dong-won and Won Bin. A large proportion of the entrants on the popularity list starred in hit movies over the past two years, but Won, Kang, Lee Na-young and Kim Tae-hee managed to stay popular by only appearing in commercials,...More

Flower Boy Won Bin VS Kim Soo-hyun, who's the winner?2012/11/13, Source,
Sweet guys Won Bin and Kim Soo-hyun have both been chosen as models for the bakery brand Tous Les Jours which claims, "We have presented these good looking actors just the way they are in this advertisement". Won Bin looked chic with a hairstyle that had a slight wave at the end and Kim Soo-hyun emphasized his smile and 20s look.
A staff on site claimed, "Won Bin's low tone voice and romantic lines made everyone including men cry out. Kim Soo-hyun did a great job in expressing the products with his expression and ate them so deliciously as well,...More

Won Bin's UNICEF advertisement 2012/11/01, Source, Won Bin appeared in a public advertisement to help needy children.
The UNICEF Committee are releasing an advertisement that commutes with the children around the world through cable TV, online sites, movie theaters and much more,...More

Ha Jung-woo, Ha Ji-won Voted Most Popular Movie Stars2012/05/21, Source, Ha Jung-woo and Ha Ji-won have been voted the most popular actor and actress in Korea in an email poll by the Chosun Ilbo and the nation's largest film ticketing site MaxMovie.
Some 25,784 people voted from April 18 to May 5. The two drew 10.1 and 13.7 percent of the votes respectively. But Song Kang-ho and Jeon Do-yeon were chosen as the best -- as opposed to most popular -- actor and actress, with 18 and 23.3 percent.
Since the poll targeted online users of MaxMovie who had been to the cinema at least once last year, it probably reflects moviegoers' preferences more accurately than other surveys,...More

Jung Woo-sung swoons women2012/05/16, Source, Jung Woo-sung transformed into a romantic outsider.
Jung Woo-sung was seen in a star style magazine called "High Cut". He appeared strong and warm at the same time with a tough leather jacket and white background. His outstanding length and expressions added to a high quality photo shoot. His Cartier bracelet and rings gave the impression of a 'royal prince',...More

Song Seung-heon returns to small screen2012/05/15, Source, Song Seung-heon walks down a street during a visit to Vietnam to shoot a television program this January.(Courtesy of Korea Foundation)
Heartthrob Song Seung-heon is coming back to his fans through the small screen.
Despite 16 years passing since his debut, Song, 35, remains as handsome and single as ever, coupled now with better acting ability. As one of the pioneers of "hallyu", or the Korean wave, his popularity continues to the rise, both in Korea and overseas,...More

High Tech Rice Cookers from a Nation of Rice Connoisseurs2012/04/29, Source,
In Korea we have this saying that "Koreans' strength comes out from eating rice". Many Koreans agree with this saying and it plays out in daily life. While the average Korean's diet is becoming more globalized (and perhaps Westernized), most Korean still prefer rice over other carbs like bread.
Because of this, we're somewhat of rice connoisseurs and making rice that's up to our standards isn't easy. I still remember the first time I tried making rice for my family (I was nine and I wanted to be loved). At that time our family didn't have a rice cooker so I had to use a sauce pan and the result was a disaster,...More

Kanryu Currents in Japan, Past and Present2012/03/11, Source,
Tokyo-based journalist, translator and filmmaker Jason GRAY examines the ebb and flow of the Korean Wave in Japan over the past ten years, pinpointing the highs and lows.
The Korean wave of popular culture in Japan, referred to as "kanryu" or "hanryu" in Japanese, has had an interesting ebb and flow over the past decade. There were earlier booms here including traditional Korean ballads ("enka") in the late 70s, the Seoul Olympics in 1988 and the South Korea-Japan co-hosted World Cup in 2002. Japanese cinema exhibitors saw their first genuine Korean smash with Kang Je-gyu's "Shiri" (2000), which earned JPY1.8 billion (US$22.1 million) - an impressive result to this day. As we'll see, KANG is unique in that he figures into pre, peak and post kanryu cinema,...More

Korean Cinema Series: The Man from Nowhere (Jan. 12 & 27, 2012)2012/01/16, Source,
Amid the darkness of drugs, gangs, and human exploitation, young and bubbly So-mi (Kim Sae-ron) is a ray of light. Her single mother, a dancer and heroin user, warns So-mi to stay away from their quiet, reclusive neighbor, Tae-sik (Won Bin), but to no avail; the two seem to share a special bond, both being ostracized, troubled, and judged in their own ways. When So-mi's mother becomes wrapped up in a drug deal gone wrong, she and her daughter are taken captive by a vicious gang that trades in harvested organs,...More

Song Kang-ho and Lee Na-young: 'We Have Nickname of 'Tom and Jerry"2012/01/13, Source,
The director Yoo Ha's new movie "Howling" held a production presentation.
Actress Lee Na-young expressed her feelings about acting together with Song Kang-ho at the production presentation of the movie "Howling" -- held at a movie theater in Seoul on January 10 -- by saying, "We had come to have the nickname of 'Tom and Jerry' on the film set due to our appearance wrangling with each other as a senior and junior detectives in the movie". Song Kang-ho produced laughter by responding, saying, "She looks like Jerry, doesn't she?" Lee Na-young will play a new detective named Eun Young who will investigate the murder case, and Song Kang-ho will play a senior detective named Sang Gil who will solve the case with Eun Young as a team in the movie,...More

Girls' Generation named best dressed in Japan2012/01/12, Source,
By Lee Hyo-won
K-pop group Girls' Generation Wednesday won a best-dressed award at a Japanese jewelry exhibition.
The nine-member band received a special prize in the women's category for best dressers at the 23rd International Jewellery (this is the official spelling) Japan (IJT) 2012, which opened Wednesday at Odaiba, Tokyo,...More

Local films foray into Chinese market2011/12/26, Source,
Actress Ha Ji-won in a still from the movie "Sector 7"
By Lee Hyo-won The past year has seen Korean cinema on an upward climb from the recession that hit the industry hard in the mid-2000s, particularly as homespun works made successful debuts in the Chinese box office and more experimental mid-budget films drew crowds domestically. In the early 2000s, few Korean movies enjoyed wide releases in large neighboring Asian markets such as Japan. In September, however, "The Man From Nowhere", a 2010 crime drama, made successful box office debuts not only in Japan but also in China, one of the world's fastest growing markets,...More

Won Bin Becomes 'Actor of the Year' for Two Consecutive Years 2011/12/23, Source,
Gallup Korea conducted a survey to select the "Actor of the Year", and Won Bin has been chosen as the best actor for two years in a row. Gallup Korea said on December 22 that they had conducted a survey with 1,728 respondents from both men and women aged 13 or older across the nation from November 18 until December 6 to ask the best movie star of the year, and Won Bin obtained 11.3 percent of the votes. Gallup Korea let the respondents select two actors and counted the total votes,...More

Won Bin Named Actor of the Year 2011/12/22, Source, Won Bin has been named actor of the year by voters of a Gallup Korea poll for the second year in a row. According to the poll on 17-hundred people aged 13 years or older, eleven percent voted Won as their favorite actor,...More

"Hello Ghost" walks through walls, opens in China2011/11/30, Source,
Korean comedy "Hello Ghost" became the third South Korean film this year to get a theatrical release behind the Great Wall of distribution barriers in China when it opened Nov. 24. Mega Films, which is in charge of "Hello Ghost"'s Chinese distribution, released the film on about 4,000 screens in Shanghai, Beijing and other cities large and small,...More

VCR2 Weekly star scene2011/10/20, Source, It's the battle of the stars! Arirang Today set off to get a closer look at the 48th Daejong Film Festival. Our first stop: the red carpet.
Hours before the event, the sidelines of the red carpet were already filling up with fans determined to get a glimpse of their favorite star.
[Interview : ] "Why did you bring the flowers
[Interview : ] "I'm a fan of the actor Lee Je-hoon. I want to give these to him".
[Interview : ] "What do you like about Lee Je-hoon
[Interview : ] "He's very talented at portraying whatever character he is given. He's a fantastic actor",...More

The 3 Means of Success For Hot Stars2011/10/01, Source,
There was an article a few days ago in the korean Osen portal, on Gang Dong-won, Won Bin and Gong Yoo and 3 common elements between them which contributed to their success. Being someone who has quite positive feelings for all three of these beloved actors, I decided to write an article inspired by the one found in Osen.Well-timed transition from television to movies
So the one obvious common strategy between these three is that they started with television. Dramas are a good way to gain popularity, raise the level of offers you get and generally get noticed. All three gentlemen started with them and gained recognition and mainly fame through them. But television is a good way to pigeonhole ones self,...More

Be Aware for the UPCOMING MOVIE 'Arrow, The Ultimate Weapon'2011/09/30, Source, Park Hae-il Will SURELY Pierce the Hearts of All Women in the US!
Don't miss your opportunity to watch 'Arrow, The Ultimate Weapon' Releasing in LA (September 30th) and Nationwide (October 7th)! Succeeding over Won Bin's "The Man From Nowhere" in 2010, Park Hae-il's "Arrow, The Ultimate Weapon" hits straight to the top of the box office :)
Here's a brief synopsis: Nam-Yi uses an arrow that is only 1/3 of the traditional arrow size and weight, making it superior in velocity, force, and range. His arrows make it hard to detect the shooter's location, thus ideal for an ambush. On the other hand, Jyu Shin-Ta uses an arrow that is 24 times heavier than the traditional arrow, tearing apart targets with just one shot. Different features and actions that are performed by each bow will keep you on the edge of your seat with action that has never before been experienced in Korean film history,...More

KOFFIA: Korean Screen Hits The International Scene Down Under2011/08/23, Source,
Korean cinema is revived this August as the Korean Film Festival In Australia (or KOFFIA, for brevity's sake) rolls onto the Aussie red carpet for a week-long foray into the world of Korea in pictures.
The festival sees a clash of east and western cultures as Korean films hit Sydney shores at Dendy Cinemas, sitting on a backdrop of the iconic Harbour Bridge and Opera House.
The fever's spread further south this year too, with the festival expanding into Melbourne after the Sydney-exclusive's success last year,...More

Kim Yuna, Most Memorable Ad Model For First Half of 20112011/08/18, Source,
World-renowned figure skater Kim Yuna leaves deep impressions not only on the ice, but through her many advertisements.
According to a report on the most memorable ad model for the first half of 2011 conducted by government organizations, Kim came out on top with 10.5% of the votes. This is her third win after being number one in 2009 and 2010,...More

Weekly star scene2011/08/11, Source, It's time for Weekly Star Scene, where we give you the week's top 5 stories from the Korean world of entertainment.

: Just like every other week, we have our one and only Dami here in the studio with us. Hello Dami! What do you have for us today[Reporter : ] : Today our first story is about the o,...More

KOFFIA 2011 Film Line-up announced!2011/07/27, Source,
KOFFIA 2011 is coming! HOLD ON TIGHT! For immediate release The KOFFIA Korean Film Festival is back in Sydney for the second time this August, bigger and better than ever, and it all begins here! KOFFIA 2011 will present 13 feature films and 7 shorts that showcase the great diversity of Korean cinema today, as well as providing a true Korean cultural experience with industry forums, cultural performances, food tastings and so much more. HOLD ON TIGHT!
The festival will take place from 24th – 29th August at Dendy Cinemas in Circular Quay, Sydney. In this Australia-Korea Year of Friendship, we are very excited to announce that KOFFIA will also travel down to the beautiful city of Melbourne! The festival will run from 10th – 13th September at ACMI Cinemas, Australian Centre for the Moving Image, Federation Square, Melbourne. This is an extra special date, as 12th September marks the important Korean Thanksgiving Holiday of Chuseok, join us in this celebration,...More

Weekly star scene2011/07/21, Source, It's time for weekly star scene, a round up of the top 5 stories in entertainment from the past week!
: We have our beautiful Dami here with us in the studio. Hello Dami[Reporter : ] : Hello 건영! Hello Sean! I was wondering do you happen to have any favorite artists : _____________ .,...More

Cha Seung-won 20's Choice 'Hottest Six Pack'2011/07/07, Source,
Actor Cha Seung-won (41) has been chosen as the best body beating younger actors in their 20's.
The Mnet 20's Choice Awards was held on the 7th at the Walker Hill Hotel outdoor poolside River Park. In the falling rain, many stars made appearances and heated up the atmosphere.,...More

Youth film festival opens in Seoul Thursday2011/07/06, Source, Lineup includes local and Asian premieres, adult-themed films
By Lee Hyo-won
Forget the preconception that a film festival for children only features fuzzy family movies and animations. The Seoul International Youth Film Festival (SIYFF) aims to demonstrate its educational initiative by showcasing a lineup of carefully selected works that includes local premieres and R-rated movies,...More

Yuh brings new sensibilities to 'Kung Fu Panda'2011/05/17, Source,
"Kung Fu Panda 2" director Jennifer Yuh Nelson poses with Po the panda during a press conference in Seoul, Monday. The Korean-American spoke about her being the first female director at DreamWorks. / Yonhap
DreamWorks' first female director speaks about leadership
By Lee Hyo-won
Po the martial arts panda has returned in "Kung Fu Panda 2", and the sequel of the comic adventure sees more pronounced soul-searching themes under the wing of director Jennifer Yuh Nelson,...More

[Star ESI 3] Male celebs... "I was pretty one time..."2011/05/01, Source,
Only women can be pretty? Men would be disappointed to hear that. Kim Heechul, Jang Geun-suk, Lee Joon-gi and more have been called "prettier men than women" for dressing up as women on TV or in movies. The pictures are of men that make women jealous.
★ Unchanging appearance
They say "Sandalwood is fragrant even in seed leaf". Jang Geun-suk is the one and only male celebrity who is from the "Pretty Child Contest". His smile from then is hard to distinguish if he is a boy or a girl. There is a reason for stealing 'nunas' (elder sister) hearts. The term 'pretty' is well suited for him.,...More

Won Bin, Ha Ji-won Sweep Popularity Stakes in Movie Poll2011/04/15, Source, Won Bin (left) and Ha Ji-wonWon Bin and Ha Ji-won were voted the most popular actor and actress in Korea in an email poll by the Chosun Ilbo and Korea's largest film ticketing site MaxMovie. Some 22,362 people voted from March 30 to April 5.
The two drew 16.2 and 10.9 percent of the votes, respectively. But Song Kang-ho and Jeon Do-yeon were chosen as the best as opposed to most popular actor and actress, with 17.7 and 21.8 percent of the votes.
Since the poll targeted online users of MaxMovie who had been to the cinema at least once last year, it probably reflects moviegoers' preferences more accurately than other surveys,...More

[HanCinema's Film Review] The Man From Nowhere2011/01/08,
Having been nominated for and winning numerous awards, "The Man From Nowhere" (2010, directed by Lee Jeong-beom) is definitely one to see, but not for the reasons you might think. This dark action flick seduces you with its delivery of gritty violence and dynamic action scenes, but at its core this is a story of identity, the meaning in one's life and rekindling the passion for that which we hold dear.,...More

This Week's Cultural News12010/12/29, Source, In 2010, the audience met with a swarm of great Korean movies of every genre and style that was able to satisfy moviegoers of all types! Let's take a look at the characteristics of the popular Korean films of 2010.

[Interview : ] "I liked 2010 because more movies came out than in 2009".

[INTERVIEW] Actor Jang Seo-won2010/11/24, Source, My name isJang Seo-won. My real name is Kim Seul-gi. I started acting in the theater after I graduated college but my parents gave me this new name after realizing that my name doesn't suit my image as an actor. They saved my name in their cellphones under the name “Seo-won” but they just say "Hey" when they're calling me at home. I guess they're not used to it yet. I was born on November 1, 1982 as an only child. My blood type is B but a part of me is as timid as type A. Thankfully I've learned to become more laid-back after serving in the army,...More

[PIFF] Hoping that moment will be about Busan2010/10/08, Source,
Actor Won Bin, actress Kim Sae-ron and director Lee Jeong-beom of film "The Man From Nowhere" walk the red carpet of the opening ceremony for the 15th Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF) in Busan, South Korea on October 7, 2010. [Chae Ki-won/10Asia]
Second visit to Busan and first time covering the Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF). It is experience that is embarrassing to even be considered short. But instead feeling discouraged by the Busan natives and reporters who cover PIFF every year, the fireworks which went off at the start of the festival were watched with ease and excitement. It was probably from the anticipation felt from getting to meet directly with actors and directors who turned up at the show with their films as precious as their own child, and the satisfaction felt from being amongst the huge crowd seated at the venue,...More

[INTERVIEW] Avex Asia Managing Dir. Buddy Marini - Part 22010/08/18, Source,
Avex Asia Managing Director Buddy Marini [Avex Asia]Q: In what ways do you think the NAFF could do better? A: I would like to see more Korean company participation. I think there's a lot of creative people there such as Korean directors and producers with projects, but I'd like to see more industry people there. And I think programming-wise it's always been very interesting and keeps getting more interesting so it's good but I'm feeling that maybe this year, perhaps it's because of the industry situation as a whole, I didn't feel it was as dynamic as last year. The first time I came I had fun meeting all these independent directors and producers that I usually don't meet. And last year I thought it was getting bigger in scope. But this year, I felt it wasn't as good as last year because the Korean companies weren't here. Last year, industry people from Seoul made appearances here but many didn't this year. I think the fest needs to, or at least NAFF, they need to incorporate this aspect more,...More

"The Man From Nowhere" tops local box office once again2010/08/15, Source,
Korean action movie "The Man From Nowhere" [CJ Entertainment]
Korean action film "The Man From Nowhere" maintained its title as the most-watched movie in the country during the weekend of August 13 to 15, scoring its second win on the local box office.
According to the Korean Box Office System (KOBIS) on Monday, "Man", which opened in theaters in early August, attracted more moviegoers this weekend than the previous three-day period, selling,...More

[INTERVIEW] Actor Won Bin - Part 12010/08/04, Source, Won Bin [Lee Jin-hyuk/10Asia]
10: I heard that when you debuted, you had wanted to become an actor after watching Choi Min-soo starrer "Terrorist". "The Man From Nowhere" also revolves around the action sequences of one man. How did it feel?Won Bin: For me, "Terrorist" was the greatest movie at the time. I dreamt of becoming an actor after watching that film. The time I spent working on "The Man From Nowhere" was a lot of fun for me. It was a new genre for me and I liked it even more because my character communicated with a child. 10: You must've been excited. (laugh)Won Bin: It was fun. Many people worried that I might get hurts since there was so much action in it but I like moving around and sweating. I felt like I was playing a game doing the action scenes. I hadn't done this sort of action movie before so it was tough physically but it was new so it felt like I was learning something,...More

[INTERVIEW] Actor Won Bin - Part 22010/08/04, Source, Won Bin [Lee Jin-hyuk/10Asia]10: How did you feel about there being almost no change to his expression? And him saying very few lines. He shows most of his emotions through his eyes.Won Bin: I think it's inevitable that he has become quiet because he hasn't gone outsid efor three years. He hadn't spoken to anyone and must've held great grief in his heart. I thought that it was only natural that there would be little change to his expression because of the character he is. 10: Wasn't it difficult trying to express your emotions through the slightest expression or look?Won Bin: It was but it was rather more appealing. I think that the sadness he feels in his heart was delievered more effectively because he pushed down useless talk rather than expressing himself overly or shouting out loudly,...More

[INTERVIEW] Actor Won Bin - Part 32010/08/04, Source, Won Bin [Lee Jin-hyuk/10Asia]
10: Then you must be more cautious about choosing new roles. What about a new movie do you regard as most important?Won Bin: First, that the scenario is strong and what story it tells within it. And it was never on purpose but I think the roles I've played till now have been humane. They have always had an affinity. I think "The Man From Nowhere" too contains a form of love between a man and a child but I wonder whether I would've taken on the movie if there wasn't such form of communication,...More

Won Bin: 'I Dreamed of Becoming Actor After Watching Action Movie'2010/08/04, Source,
The movie "The Man From Nowhere", which will be released on August 4, is a very violent movie with realistic action scenes. The fight scene in which Tae Sik, who is the former member of a special forces unit, devastates a criminal organization that kidnapped a neighbor girl contains violent scenes such as splattered blood and broken bones, but the scene is also filled with resolute and well-made action sequences.
An interviewer met actor Won Bin, who has been "reborn" as an action hero, at a café located in Samcheong-dong, Jongno on August 2. He had previously filmed battle scenes in the movie "Taegukgi" and he had carried a gun when he filmed the movie "Guns and talks", but he mentioned that this is the first time for him to film a legitimate action movie,...More

Hallyu Stars Accused of Ignoring Korean Fans2010/07/23, Source,
It has continuously been pointed out that Hallyu stars who are actively performing overseas rarely arrange performances and events for Korean fans.
Hallyu stars reportedly consistently neglect Korean fans and usually do not have much contact with fans in Korea; on the other hand, they have adopted friendly images to the public overseas by holding large-scale fan meetings and releasing photo and music albums.
Hallyu star kwon Sang-woo, who evoked criticism with a hit-and-run last month, has raised controversy because he delivered a message of apology on his official Japanese fan website before his Korean website. After the news on his hit-and-run was spread, he just made a brief apology in Korea on the following day, which was June 25, simply by using the press release that his agency had distributed, but he still had not personally expressed an apology officially in Korea for three weeks after the accident. On the contrary, his agency had urgently left apology messages on the board of his official website in Japan on the very next day, which was on June 25,...More

Won Bin: 'I Almost Killed Myself While Filming Action Scene'2010/07/12, Source,
"When I first tried to perform a wire stunt, I had the impression, 'It is too tough, I should not do this again. I could die while I am filming this action scene'. The most dangerous moment was when I fought holding a sword in my hand. If I did something wrong even slightly, I could hurt my eyes or my face". -Won Bin
In the production presentation for the movie "The Man From Nowhere", which was held in Apgujeong CGV on July 8, the main protagonist Won Bin revealed that the action scenes were very difficult for him. In the movie, Won Bin played Tae Sik, who is the former member of a special forces unit and lives alone by running pawnshops. When a girl living next door, who is his only friend, is kidnapped by a criminal organization, he throws himself into the fray to save the girl,...More

Won Bin speaks with action in new film "The Man From Nowhere" 2010/07/08, Source,
Korean actor Won Bin at a press conference for film "The Man From Nowhere" held at Seoul's Apkujung CGV multiplex on July 8, 2010. [photographed by Lee Jin-hyuk/10Asia]
The saying 'actions speak louder than words' could work as a tagline for Korean actor Won Bin, who used frequent and fancy action movements to deliver the emotions of his title character Tae-shik in the film "The Man From Nowhere".
At the film's press conference held Thursday morning at Seoul's Apkujung CGV multiplex, several promotional videos as well as behind-the-scenes footage and interviews revealed that the lanky actor spent a considerable amount of time on the screen running, jumping, punching, firing gunshots and throwing axes at bad guys,...More

Song Hye-kyo again denies cast in film with Wentworth Miller2010/06/29, Source,
Actress Song Hye-kyo [Lee Ki-bum/Asia Economic Daily]
Song Hye-kyo's agency has again denied a report that the actress has been cast in a Chinese film alongside American actor Wentworth Miller.
"It is not true that she has received an offer to be cast in the movie", an official at Song's agency SidusHQ told Asia Economic Daily over the phone on Tuesday, responding to an article by local sports daily Chosun Sports saying the actress was being considered for a role in "Ji Xian Feng",...More

Andre Bazin, the founding father of the French New Wave, called short films "the film of the future", and indeed the medium seems fit for this age of YouTube clips t,...More

[10LINE] Actress Moon Geun-young2010/05/06, Source,
Clockwise from top center: actress Im Soo-jung, actor Kim Rae-won, actor Park Gun-hyung, actor Kim Joo-hyuk and actress Lee Mi-sook [10Asia]Moon Geun-young Star. Icon. Nation's little sister. Now we call her by her name "Geun-yeong".
Shin Ae-dukMoon Geun-young's grandmother. As a child, Moon began her day watching morning dramas with her grandmother and at nights would fall asleep while talking with her grandmother on what happened during the day with her parents being busy working. Her grandmother told her, "In life, people go through various ups and downs but I don't want you to think about that too much and rather work on refining yourself and grow up to become an intelligent actress". Moon Geun-young's mother told her that the money she makes "is not our money" and suggested in donating it as "a way of investing your love to society". One of the biggest reasons that Moon was able to act from a young age until now without faltering is because of the unconditional support she received from her family,...More

Korean film Mother continues its stay on U.S. box office2010/04/13, Source,
Official U.S. poster of Korean film "Mother - 2009" [Magnolia Pictures]
Korean dramatic pic "Mother - 2009" continued to perform within the top 50 films on the United States box office into its fifth week of release.
According to statistics by the U.S. movie chart of Box Office Mojo on Tuesday, the film grossed 34,405 dollars at 27 theaters to rank at No. 49 over the weekend, raising its accumulate total to 375,536 dollars since its release overseas March 12,...More

[10LINE] Actor Gang Dong-won2010/04/09, Source,
Clockwise from top center: actor Jo Han-seon, actor Won Bin, director Lee Myeong-se, director Choi Dong-hoon and actor Song Kang-ho [10Asia] Gang Dong-won "Just talking about you is cool and you're handsome and all I can say is that I love you a lot. That's the truth". -from the movie "M". Being handsome is important but you need something more than just the looks. Just like actor Gang Dong-won. Ha Jung-hwa He was Gang Dong-won's physical education teacher from middle school. Kang wrote a letter thanking Ha in the magazine "Good Friend". When he was younger he was smart and athletic and he reached the height of 180cm after growing 25 cm during his middle school years,...More

Korean pic "Mother - 2009", stars win big at Green Planet Movie Awards2010/03/25, Source,
Korean filmmaker Bong Joon-ho wins Best International Director award at Green Planet Movie Awards held in Los Angeles, California on March 23, 2010 [Korea Green Foundation]
Korean film "Mother - 2009" and a handful of Korean actors picked up multiple awards including the prize for Best Foreign Culture Film of the Year at the 2nd Green Planet Movie Awards held in California, according to event sponsor Korea Green Foundation (KGF) on Thursday.
KGF announced in a press release that film "Mother - 2009" and Korean movie stars were handed a total of 12 awards in nine different categories at the event, which took place at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites in Los Angeles on March 23 (local time),...More

Korean film "Mother - 2009" ranked No. 41 among U.S. films2010/03/23, Source,
Official U.S. movie poster of "Mother - 2009" [Magnolia Pictures]
Korean drama "Mother - 2009" has been climbing up the ranks of the box office charts in the United States since its release in the country two weeks ago. According to statistics on the weekend U.S. movie chart of Box Office Mojo, "Mother - 2009", which bowed at No. 50 during the weekend of March 12 to 14, rose nine spots to place 41st during its second overseas session to rank 41st and gross a total 53,195 dollars. Its 10-day tally stands at 106,772 dollars,...More

Mother to open in select U.S. theaters today2010/03/12, Source,
Movie poster for Korean film "Mother - 2009" [CJ Entertainment]
Korean film "Mother - 2009" will open in five U.S. cities today including Los Angeles and New York and expand its showing next week throughout the country.
The thriller film, directed by noted Korean filmmaker Bong Joon-ho, will start with a limited theatrical release and gradually increase its number of screens; the film will open in 15 cities including Berkeley and Dallas on March 19, and in 18 cities including Honolulu and New Haven the following weekend.,...More

Gang Dong-won, Song Hye-kyo start filming "Love for Sale"2010/01/20, Source,
Korean actress Song Hye-kyo [Lee Won-woo/10Asia]
Top Korean actors Gang Dong-won and Song Hye-kyo have started shooting their feature segment for the Asian omnibus pic "Camellia", according to the film's producer BAL CON on Wednesday.
The two actors started filming "Love For Sale" on Friday, playing former lovers who forget their memories about each which later leads them to a fatal destiny.
"Camellia" is an omnibus pic made up of three feature films directed by three Asian directors. Each episode will be set in the past, present and future of the city of Busan, Korea.,...More

Song Hye-kyo, Gang Dong-won to star in Asian omnibus pic2010/01/12, Source,
Actress Song Hye-kyo (right) and actor Gang Dong-won, who have been cast to star in Korean director Jang Joon-hwan's "Love for Sale". [BAL CON]
Several of South Korea's top actors including actress Song Hye-kyo and actor Gang Dong-won have been cast in a multinational omnibus film by directors from Korea, Japan and Thailand, according to the film's production company on Tuesday.
BAL CON announced in a statement that the film, tentatively titled "Busan Project", will be composed of three episodes each set in the past, present and future of the city of Busan in Korea.
Based in Korea during the 1970s, the first segment, titled "Iron Pussy", will be directed by Thailand's Wisit Sasanatieng and star Korean actor Kim Min-joon and Thai-American actor Michael Shaowanasai. Shawananasai will play the role of a male secret agent from Thailand in disguise of a woman who later falls in love with an unidentifiable Korean man, played by Kim.,...More

62nd Cannes Selects 9 Korean Films2009/05/08, Source, A total of 9 Korean films including 5 features have been invited to the official line-up of the 62nd Cannes Film Festival, which runs May 13 – 24 in the famed coastal city of southern France. Headlining the robust range of Korean films this year is,...More

There may be a possibility for two big name Korean film directors to compete in the Cannes International Film Festival, to be held in May 13 to 24. Park Chan-wook's newest release,...More

Korean Films sell well at Berlin's EFM2009/02/11, Source, Korean company Fine Cut as well as CJ Entertainment can both claim success at this years EFM in the Berlin Film Festival. Fine Cut leads the pack selling 11 films alone to one company, Scandinavia's Non Stop Television. It also sold gay themed,...More

[ChanMi's movie news] Movie stills of new movie " Mother "2008/11/14, Source, Won Bin and Kim Hye-ja are starred in the new film " Mother " for which still cut photos have been released.
This film is being promoted to the American Film Market and thse stills have been sent there.
The still pictures are of Kim Hye-ja the mother with the worried face and Won Bin, as the son who is looking outside the car.
" Mother " is about a son who is mitakenly taken to prisen and falsely accused of being a murderer.
This film has been filmed only 20% and will be released to the Japanese market as well as other countries.,...More

Bong Joon-ho "Won Bin is youthful country style"2008/07/03, Source, Director Bong Joon-ho of the movie "Mother - 2009" revealed an episode involving the two leading characters. In a meeting with his acquaintances, he said, "Won Bin was far from his image of a refined city-dweller. He is from Kang-won, so I sensed more of a country style". Before debuting in 1996, Won Bin worked in a auto service center in Kang-won. Director Bong said, "There is still a pure innocent image left in his face. He seems more human, for he likes tennis and soccer more than he likes working out or golf". As a director, he was glad that Won Bin still had an innocent image left in him. Won Bin plays a youth who is falsely accused of being a murderer.,...More

The Ideal Young Korean Male -- Revealed2007/06/28, Source, A plastic surgeon has published a composite image of the ideal male Korean face. Rhee Seung-chul, the head of plastic surgery at Hanil General Hospital, made the image from the faces of 16 Korean Wave,...More

Won Bin Undergoes Surgery in Military2006/04/26, Source, Top actor Won Bin received an operation due to a ruptured knee ligament. The military authorities said Tuesday that the actor had had problems with his knee ligament before joining the military and recently suffered a partial rupture of his left kn,...More

Since he was enlisted last year, Won has been performing military duties as an Army private,...More

Korean Men in Grip of Plastic Surgery Craze2006/02/09, Source, At university, Han was considered a bit of a heartthrob for his good looks, but early this month he nonetheless spent W4 million (US$4,000) on a softer chin. He is one of an increasing number of Korean men who are succumbing to the plastic surgery craze that has gripped the country.

Heartthrobs head for Army service2006/01/17, Source, To the great disappointment of many female TV fans, several Korean heartthrobs are preparing to enlist in the Army this year, ready to serve their country as the "virile sons of Korea".

After the 2004 draft-dodging scandal involving several popular entertainers including Korean Wave star,,...More

Won Bin Dispatched to Face the Enemy2006/01/12, Source, Movie star Won Bin has been dispatched to a Border Guard unit and will be patrolling the iron fence separating the two Koreas to protect his country from infiltration. Reports earlier this month said the 29-year-old star, who started his compulsory,...More

Star Actor Volunteers for Frontline Army Post2006/01/06, Source, Superstar Won Bin has finished his five-week basic military training and volunteered for a unit guarding the iron fence at the border with North Korea. According to Army insiders, the actor volunteered for the assignment on completing his basic tra,...More

Song Hye-kyo enjoys the height of her celebrity status through TV dramas such as,...More

Korean Soap Operas Debut on U.S. Network TV2005/12/01, Source, "Imagine Asian TV", a 24-hour cable TV station that specializes in Asian programs as a part of Imagine Asian Entertainment, was established in June of 2004 as the first 24-hour Asian American television network in the U.S.

On November 30, 2005, Imagine Asian TV announced plans to broadcast two of,...More

Won Bin to join military in late November2005/10/20, Source, Actor Won Bin, 28, will join the military on Nov. 29, as was originally planned. His agency reported on Oct. 20 that though the actor has yet to receive his enlistment orders, he will join the military on Nov. 29 if everything goes as planned. The,...More

In a country whose draft laws stipulate all adult males must serve and protect his country, evading conscription is a deeply rooted social problem. Every few years, the public watches as actors, singers and athletes are thrown into the spotlight upon being found gu,...More

An older generation of actors and actresses will be competing for the top prizes at two upcoming domestic film award ceremonies, events usually dominated by younger and more popular names.

At the 25th Blue Dragon Awards, which will be held on Nov. 29, and the Thi,...More

Korean Designer Andre Kim Puts the Stars on the Catwalk2004/11/17, Source, Korea's high-profile fashion designer Andre Kim showcased his designs for 2005 this week. Actors and athletes also joined him for a unique awards ceremony.
Korean designer Andre Kim has been creating fashions ever since he debuted in 1962. His distinctive and opulent style combining futuristic wit,...More

It's 6:00 a.m. on November 13 in the lobby of the Kobe Meriken Park Oriental Hotel. Over 100 Japanese women in their thirties and forties fill the lobby despite the early morning hour. They are waiting for "Dongon-sang", better known as the Korean actor Lee Dong-gun.

Film to Be Made about Korean Subway Hero2004/10/11, Source, The story of Lee Su-hyun, who was killed by a train while he was trying to help a drunk man in a Tokyo subway station in 2001, is going to be made into a movie. Five representatives from Kinema Tokyo, including chairman Takahashi Matsuo, visited Busan, Lee's hometown, last week. Takahashi discussed,...More

[Local Films With English Subtitles]2004/10/08, Source, ■ Uri Hyong (My Brother) (2004)
Cine Core Theater
Once daily from Oct. 8
"My Brother", directed by An Gwon-tae, portrays the conflict and reconciliation of two very different brothers. Jong-hyon, a tough trouble-making but nevertheless comic and handsome character (,...More

Director Kang looks to the world2004/07/01, Source, Kang Jae-gyu's office in Gangnam, southern Seoul, is a cross between a bachelor pad and a lesson in modern interior decorating. Outfitted with a black leather furniture set, small metal trinkets and full-length posters of his movies, his office looks like something right out of a Nick Hornby novel.,...More

International Newsweek Covers Success Story of Korean Blockbusters2004/04/28, Source, Next month's issue of the international edition of Newsweek will publish a five-page special cover story about the sensational boom of Korean blockbusters.
Under the head "Blockbuster Nation", Newsweek reported, "Orcs, elves and hobbits may rule Middle-earth, but they've proved no match for Korea',...More

One of the most widely talked about cultural phenomena of the last decade or so is the renaissance of the Korean cinema and TV. Korean cinema has become a major success story both commercially and artistically, and both in domestic and international markets. Just in recent months,,...More

This is the current atmosphere at Choong Moo Ro (film district). According to the Bank of Korea, the movie industry's 2003 sales were some 3.7780 trillion won. This is a rapid growth with sales more than triple 1997's 1.257,...More

Korean blockbusters battle it out at the box office2004/02/09, Source, Two domestic blockbusters, both dealing with the division of the Korean Peninsula, are breaking box-office records and uncovering new possibilities for the local market.
After reaching 8.27 million viewers to break the all-time attendance record Jan. 31, ",...More

The long-awaited domestic film "Taegukgi" has finally arrived in theaters, and in many ways it doesn't disappoint. Costing nearly 15 billion won to make, the film, about two brothers caught up in the Korean War, is visually as,...More

In the movie "Waving Taeguek Flag", which is scheduled to be released on February 6, the largest ever amount of production cost, 14.7 billion won, has been pitched in, the two top stars of the Korean movie world,,...More

Won Bin | Community

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hey hotty! you know when ever i watch Autumn in my heart, I get so mad because your always get hurt! i wanted you to be the star that get that girl...whenever i see that movie i always wonder why are you so hot? well no matter what you are always the hottest guy to me!

7/10/06
I watched "autumn in my heart" just this year.. and I cried when tae-suk's heart was broken. I saw how he changed for the better and your acting was so compelling, i wish i could have eased tae-suk's pain. It was moving, thank you for that. I hoped that you would get the girl, even if it was against fate, because the pain in your face looked so real. And then i found the "My Brother" movie.. at the end when you looked up to the sky and talked to your brother, that made me cry too. I just wanted to say job well done. I hope everything is going well with you.. Stay up and alive and strong. Serving in the army must have been hard. It's okay to rest now. Take care. I hope your life is surrounded with love. I know I'm just a stranger to you. I don't even know if you read these posts. Maybe someday I'll see you in real life.. but then again maybe not. I can only hope you get a chance to read these words.. That will be enough for me.
-ai

Won Bin (원빈)

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